Sanford Drops Hotel Builder

When Joseph Pacitti Failed To Meet With City Commissioners, They Voided His Lease For Fort Mellon Park.

October 12, 1999|By Gary Taylor of The Sentinel Staff

SANFORD - A developer who proposed to build a hotel and conference center in Sanford's Fort Mellon Park lost his lease on the land Monday night.

That means if Joseph Pacitti still wants to build the project, he now will have to compete with other developers.

``The lease is void,'' said Sanford Mayor Larry Dale after the unanimous vote.

City commissioners refused to extend Pacitti's deadline for providing a feasibility study on the proposal, which has generated controversy because it would be built on public land. City voters approved the idea in a referendum last November.

In May, the city gave Pacitti's company, PRA Management and Development Corp. of Philadelphia, the 50-year lease on the park property on the shore of Lake Monroe. The lease called for the feasibility study and marketing analysis to be completed within 120 days. Pacitti won an extension on that time limit.

Commissioners asked to meet with Pacitti Monday night, but were miffed when neither Pacitti nor a representative showed up for the meeting. Pacitti blamed the Columbus Day holiday, City Manager Tony VanDerworp said.

During an afternoon work session, commissioners asked VanDerworp to call Pacitti and see whether he could attend a meeting this week. VanDerworp told commissioners Pacitti would meet with them in two weeks.

``Mr. Pacitti has lost all credibility with me,'' said Commissioner Whitey Eckstein.

Pacitti could not be reached for comment.

Commissioner Brady Lessard said he gives credit to PRA for proposing the project and creating excitement in the city. But he said it is time for the city to request other proposals for a hotel and conference center, and PRA is free to compete.

About three dozen people showed up to oppose the extension, and many spoke before commissioners voted. Most are members of a group that has rallied for months against building the complex in Fort Mellon Park.

Millard Hunt, chairman of The Society for the Preservation of Fort Mellon Park, said he went into the meeting thinking there was a good chance three of the five commissioners would oppose the extension but was surprised to see the unanimous vote.

It is not known when the city will seek proposals for the project.

``I'm not going to take the lead on it anymore,'' said Dale, one supporter of the project.